Lake Charles Garden Club

Anna LeBlanc, owner of “The Whimsical Banana,” was the guest speaker at the Feb. 12 meeting of the Lake Charles Garden Club at the LSU Ag Center. LeBlanc demonstrated making a floral arrangement using fresh flowers.

Patsy Trahan, club president, opened the meeting with 23 members in attendance. Trahan announced the club’s busy spring schedule with the Southwest Garden Show in March, the annual plant sale, and the state convention where member Linda Finley will be installed as president in April. Members eligible for Circle of Roses Award were encouraged to apply so they can receive award at the convention.

Thelma Fontenot, Garden Expo Chair, announced four members, Loretta Guzman, Grace Guth, Anne Corbello and Fontenot will enter floral designs to be judged at Expo held at Burton Coliseum March 21-23.

Birthday corsages for Rosewood Nursing Home residents were made and delivered by Nell Hayes, Ellie Lemoine and Shirley Broussard.

Outstanding Landscape Award for February was given to Don’s Car Wash on Ryan Street.

Jan Prudhomme and Corbello also announced Lagniappe featured The Best Business Landscape of SW LA for the first time this past December. Readers voted from a list of the Lake Charles Garden Club’s monthly Landscape Award winners, and Dr. Arango’s office on West McNeese received the most votes.

Camille Stakes, Tuten Park chair, announced there will be a workday in March, and the club received compliments from the city on their participation in the Tuten Arbor Day Event held Jan 19. Oak Tree planting for Adley Cormier took place on Feb. 7 at Tuten Park. Cormier asked the club to consider helping him and the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau prepare a Heritage Landscape Tour for Lake Charles.

A horticulture presentation was given by Guth on her African Violets, and Fontenot showed a Gerber Daisy floral design. Refreshments were served at noon by hostesses Debbie Monroe, Gail Yantis and Guzman.

Lake Charles Toastmasters Club

Members of Lake Charles Toastmasters 1225 Club District 68 gathered for their weekly meeting Feb. 25 at the former Capital One Tower. The meeting was called to order by Club President Doreen Sweeney. Toastmaster for the evening was Terry Frelot.

A prepared speech was provided by Sabrina Dowies, with Tim Humphrey as evaluator. The second speech was provided by Ben Vezina, with Phil deAlbuquerque as evaluator.

Mark Kalscheuer performed the role of Joke Master; Phil deAlbuquerque provided the Inspirational Minute; and the Wizard of Ahs and Words was David Talabi. Table Topics Master was Larry Johnson, Mardi Gras being the topic, with participants including Lonnie Fruge, Sweeney, Tatsi McKissick, and deAlbuquerque. General evaluator for the evening was Frelot.

Winners of the meeting: prepared speech — Vezina; Fruge for Table Topics; and Humphrey for evaluator.

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